The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-23
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Coroner waener,s Fees.

Coroner Wasner's Fees.
| To the Editor of the Indianapolis JournaE
| Dr. Wagner is right when he says that he has
| filed reports to May l, and if 1 said April l, 1
was mistaken But if DR.. Wagner had intended
to be candid about the matter he would have
stated in this connection that all bills fled with
| the auditor relating to inquests, reports of
| which had been filed with the clerk down to May
l. instead of April l, had been passed upon,
except very few. The next statement of Dr.
Wagner is equally devoid of candor. He knows
quite we'll, or ought to know, that the report he
is required by law Immediately upon the com
pletion of inquest, to file in the clerks office,
is the only official record to which reference can
be made in the investigation of claims for fees
filed IN the auditors Office and it is proper and
right that the county attorney should get these
reports for examination, and the receipt of the
firm is on file for them like any other court
papers.
DR.. Wagner's reference to Mr.. Spencer and my
self as attorneys of DR.. Rocker is too contempti-
bic to deserve an answer, in view of the fact
that he knows just what our advice to our client
was; and his inaccurate statements in relation to
other matters would lead to suppose that
his respect for the truth was not exalted. Every
bill he filed has been allowed and paid, except
the filed about April 1, for $3.50. On this he
was allowed and paid $l75, $75 of the bill was
dsallowed. He has instituted suit in the Su-
peror Court for this $75. and this is now
pending This is the entire extent of 1.-The lux
ury of law suit for every months salary" L
certainly was not aware before that | had been
making any effort to conduct the affairs of his Of
flce L certaily have never had five minutes
talk with him about any such subject. given
him the slightest advice in any way. In fact,
for about four months there has been no CONVEX
sation between him and me upon any su bject. Dr.
Wagner has been seeking by means neces-
sary to characterize to create the impression
that he is a mucn abused individual, and that
there has never been any trouble IN relation to
the fees until he into Office. For years
there has been trouble about the fees of
coroners, and DIR. Wagner is we'll aware OF this.
The law concerning this Office is very loose
and unsatsfying one. and has been productive
OF continual contention during the services OF
both Mr.. Wooden and Mr.. ketcham county
attorneys. The board of commissioners and
their attorney have been struggling with these
questions for years, and wisely. as far pos
slble. avoiding litigation by compromise with
coroners. There is not the slightest question
that a large number Il believe one half of the
nquests held in this country during the last ten
years We're without justification in commoa
sense There was good reason for holding
them, and no purpose served by holding them,
except to make fees. The coroners of this
ty have been claiming that the law gave them
the right to holo such lDGuests, aud some of the
coroners have claimed double per diem when
they held two inquests in one day. and Dr.
Wagner made such a claim for a number of
days in his bill filed April l.
These of the questions the board
desire to have settled, and no kind of compro-
mise being possible with DR.. Wagner, disalowed
a part of his bill that the questions night be
rased whereupon DR.. Wagner flew into a
rage, in which he has continued ever since and
abuses everybody in general and the board
and it's astorney in particular, and negects
under pretense of caution, file his reports of
inquests required by law, making it impossi-
BILE for the board get any information from
them, or even know officially that any such in
quests have been held. do not know nor care
what is meant by reference TO the Conaughton
case. 1t is not of DR.. Wagners cases,
believe, and if there is anything wrong about
it he is not responsible for It, and l shall not try
to defend it.
Since writing the above, it s stated on DIR.
Wacners authority that certain improper pro-
posals have been made to his constable. The
statement has foundation in fact
INDIANAPOLIS, July %. f. j. " "